Armando Fitz
Encyclopedia
Armando Fitz is an owner of Fitz Racing, a NASCAR
Nationwide Series team.
A native of Nashville, TN., Fitz graduated from Vanderbilt University
in 1987 with a degree in Business and Human Development. While attending Vanderbilt, he played linebacker for the Commodore football squad for four years. He and his wife Mimi have four children.
Fitz began his career in racing by leading the motorsports division of creative sports before moving to SABCO in 1994. In 1999, he created a University of Tennessee car to celebrate the team's NCAA football championship and also spearheaded programs for the Coor's Light entry that included paint schemes featuring the legendary John Wayne
and country superstars Brooks and Dunn.
Fitz's career as an owner began at the end of the 2000 season when he and Mimi purchased Felix Sabates
' Busch team. Running a partial schedule, Fitz directed his team to a 42nd place finish in the owner's points standings. His car finished in the top 20 in 14 of the 27 races that year, including a fifth-place finish at Phoenix International Raceway
and an eight-place showing at The Milwaukee Mile.
Following the 2001 season, the Fitzes teamed with Pro Football Hall of Fame member and FOX broadcaster Terry Bradshaw
to create FitzBradshaw Racing
. The partnership was strengthened as four sponsors signed on for the 2002 season, allowing FBR to field a car for the entire Busch Series schedule. The team tallied five top 10 finishes on the year, including a second-place showing at Kansas Speedway
, to finish 21st in the team owner points.
In 2003, the momentum continued as FitzBradshaw Racing added a second car part way through the season after gaining the Navy
as a sponsor. The No. 12 team improved to 18th in the team owner points while the No. 14 finished 42nd, the best showing among teams with 12 starts or less.
The 2004 season proved to be even more successful as Supercuts
, Hot Tamales
, Jani-King
and the Navy
returned as sponsors. Both FBR cars finished in the Top 20 in owners points as the No. 14 placed 14th with Casey Atwood
, and the No. 12 completed the season 20th with Tim Fedewa
.
Following the 2004 season, Fitz announced that FBR was growing again with the addition of a third team sponsored by Cottman Transmissions, Jani King and Goulds Pumps
. With the growth, Fitz also strengthened his team's ties to its roots as he announced an alliance with Chip Ganassi Racing
with Felix Sabates, which allowed for full technical and engineering support. The team also switched car manufacturers, moving from Chevrolet and the Monte Carlo to Dodge's new Charger, in the process becoming the only Busch Series team fully supported by the manufacturer.
Fitz currently fields the #22 Dodge sponsored by Supercuts
driven by Josh Wise. The #28 U.S. Border Patrol Chevrolet is currently driven by Kenny Wallace
(who recently reached the 400-start milestone for the NASCAR Nationwide Series) and has Mimi listed as the owner, however Jay Robinson Racing
purchased the owner points from Fitz Racing and he is the true owner of the car.
Also Armando Fitz is Cousin to George Gomez, one of the top amateur golfers in the state of Tennessee and California.
NASCAR
The National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing is a family-owned and -operated business venture that sanctions and governs multiple auto racing sports events. It was founded by Bill France Sr. in 1947–48. As of 2009, the CEO for the company is Brian France, grandson of the late Bill France Sr...
Nationwide Series team.
A native of Nashville, TN., Fitz graduated from Vanderbilt University
Vanderbilt University
Vanderbilt University is a private research university located in Nashville, Tennessee, United States. Founded in 1873, the university is named for shipping and rail magnate "Commodore" Cornelius Vanderbilt, who provided Vanderbilt its initial $1 million endowment despite having never been to the...
in 1987 with a degree in Business and Human Development. While attending Vanderbilt, he played linebacker for the Commodore football squad for four years. He and his wife Mimi have four children.
Fitz began his career in racing by leading the motorsports division of creative sports before moving to SABCO in 1994. In 1999, he created a University of Tennessee car to celebrate the team's NCAA football championship and also spearheaded programs for the Coor's Light entry that included paint schemes featuring the legendary John Wayne
John Wayne
Marion Mitchell Morrison , better known by his stage name John Wayne, was an American film actor, director and producer. He epitomized rugged masculinity and became an enduring American icon. He is famous for his distinctive calm voice, walk, and height...
and country superstars Brooks and Dunn.
Fitz's career as an owner began at the end of the 2000 season when he and Mimi purchased Felix Sabates
Felix Sabates
Felix Sabates is an entrepreneur and philanthropist living in the United States. He is currently a minority shareholder in Chip Ganassi Racing, which fields teams in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series , GRAND-AM Rolex Sports Car Series and the IZOD IndyCar Series...
' Busch team. Running a partial schedule, Fitz directed his team to a 42nd place finish in the owner's points standings. His car finished in the top 20 in 14 of the 27 races that year, including a fifth-place finish at Phoenix International Raceway
Phoenix International Raceway
Phoenix International Raceway, also known as PIR, is a one-mile, low-banked tri-oval race track located in Avondale, Arizona. The track opened in 1964 and currently hosts two NASCAR race weekends annually. PIR has also hosted the Indycar Series, CART, USAC and the Rolex Sports Car Series...
and an eight-place showing at The Milwaukee Mile.
Following the 2001 season, the Fitzes teamed with Pro Football Hall of Fame member and FOX broadcaster Terry Bradshaw
Terry Bradshaw
Terry Paxton Bradshaw is a former American football quarterback with the Pittsburgh Steelers in the National Football League . He played 14 seasons. He is a football analyst and co-host of Fox NFL Sunday...
to create FitzBradshaw Racing
FitzBradshaw Racing
Trail Motorsports was a NASCAR team based in Mooresville, North Carolina, which is near Charlotte. The team is owned by Armando Fitz and Art Shelton, and was previously co-owned by Fitz's former wife Mimi...
. The partnership was strengthened as four sponsors signed on for the 2002 season, allowing FBR to field a car for the entire Busch Series schedule. The team tallied five top 10 finishes on the year, including a second-place showing at Kansas Speedway
Kansas Speedway
Kansas Speedway is a tri-oval race track in Kansas City, Kansas. The speedway was built in 2001 and currently hosts two annual NASCAR race weekends. The IndyCar Series also raced at the speedway until 2011...
, to finish 21st in the team owner points.
In 2003, the momentum continued as FitzBradshaw Racing added a second car part way through the season after gaining the Navy
Navy
A navy is the branch of a nation's armed forces principally designated for naval and amphibious warfare; namely, lake- or ocean-borne combat operations and related functions...
as a sponsor. The No. 12 team improved to 18th in the team owner points while the No. 14 finished 42nd, the best showing among teams with 12 starts or less.
The 2004 season proved to be even more successful as Supercuts
Supercuts
Supercuts is a hair salon franchise with over 2,000 locations across the United States. The company was founded in the San Francisco Bay Area in 1975, by Geoffrey M. Rappaport and Frank E. Emmett. The company's first location, which is still in existence, is in Albany, California. Its headquarters...
, Hot Tamales
Hot Tamales
Hot Tamales are a cinnamon candy manufactured by the Just Born.They are shaped like Mike and Ike candies and were introduced in 1950.In addition to the hot and spicy flavor, there is also Hot Tamales Fire which is more intense than the original, a darker red in color, and less opaque.A spearmint...
, Jani-King
Jani-King
Jani-King is the world's largest commercial cleaning franchise company reporting more than 12,000 franchisees serving tens of thousands of customers worldwide....
and the Navy
Navy
A navy is the branch of a nation's armed forces principally designated for naval and amphibious warfare; namely, lake- or ocean-borne combat operations and related functions...
returned as sponsors. Both FBR cars finished in the Top 20 in owners points as the No. 14 placed 14th with Casey Atwood
Casey Atwood
Casey Lee Atwood is an American race car driver. Atwood is currently a free agent in NASCAR. He married his longtime girlfriend, Laura, in 2005. Atwood and Laura have two daughters, Kaylee and Emma...
, and the No. 12 completed the season 20th with Tim Fedewa
Tim Fedewa
Tim Fedewa is a NASCAR driver and son of former race car driver Butch Fedewa. Tim is a spotter in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series and currently spots for Marcos Ambrose.-Family:...
.
Following the 2004 season, Fitz announced that FBR was growing again with the addition of a third team sponsored by Cottman Transmissions, Jani King and Goulds Pumps
Goulds Pumps
Goulds Pumps, Inc. is a United States manufacturer of industrial pumps based in Seneca Falls, New York. It was founded by Seabury Gould in the 1840s. The company is now owned by ITT Industries.-Downs, Mynderse & Company:...
. With the growth, Fitz also strengthened his team's ties to its roots as he announced an alliance with Chip Ganassi Racing
Chip Ganassi Racing
Chip Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates is an automotive racing organization with teams competing in the IZOD IndyCar Series and the Rolex Sports Car Series. It is owned by businessmen Chip Ganassi and Felix Sabates. They have won 4 Champ Car, 3 Indy Racing League and 1 Grand-Am championships...
with Felix Sabates, which allowed for full technical and engineering support. The team also switched car manufacturers, moving from Chevrolet and the Monte Carlo to Dodge's new Charger, in the process becoming the only Busch Series team fully supported by the manufacturer.
Fitz currently fields the #22 Dodge sponsored by Supercuts
Supercuts
Supercuts is a hair salon franchise with over 2,000 locations across the United States. The company was founded in the San Francisco Bay Area in 1975, by Geoffrey M. Rappaport and Frank E. Emmett. The company's first location, which is still in existence, is in Albany, California. Its headquarters...
driven by Josh Wise. The #28 U.S. Border Patrol Chevrolet is currently driven by Kenny Wallace
Kenny Wallace
Kenneth Wallace is an American stock car driver who currently drives the #09 Family Farmers/University of Northwestern Ohio/Federated Auto Parts/American Ethanol/Iowa Corn/G-Oil/Marquis Energy Toyota Camry for RAB Racing in the NASCAR Nationwide Series...
(who recently reached the 400-start milestone for the NASCAR Nationwide Series) and has Mimi listed as the owner, however Jay Robinson Racing
Jay Robinson Racing
Jay Robinson Racing is a racing team that competes in the NASCAR Nationwide Series. Currently, they field the #28 MAXelence Chevrolet Impala for Derrike Cope. Formed in 1995, they moved to the Nationwide Series in 2000, where they have attempted both full-time and part-time schedules.- Car #28...
purchased the owner points from Fitz Racing and he is the true owner of the car.
Also Armando Fitz is Cousin to George Gomez, one of the top amateur golfers in the state of Tennessee and California.